Cerro Llullaillaco
Cerro Llullaillaco is a dormant volcano located on the border of Argentina (Salta Province) and Chile (Antofagasta Region). A gravel rough 4x4 road southwest of the volcano climbs up to 5.049m (16,564ft) above the sea level.
The road to the summit, located in the Andes Mountain Range, is rocky and gravel. Menacing desert terrain with numerous steep, rocky climbs. You definitely need a good 4x4. Large, sharp rocks require tight maneuvering, increasing the likelihood of tire damage. High clearance, skid plates and differential lockers required. No stock vehicles. A complex network of poorly defined roads makes route-finding very difficult, even following a GPS tracklog.
It is the second highest active volcano in the world. High risk of landmines. Never drive this trail alone. Two abandoned sulfur mines can be found north and south of Llullaillaco. The high elevation with its risk of altitude sickness, weather concerns, steep road grade and overall inaccessibility make the travel dangerous and difficult. Three child mummies were discovered on the summit of the volcano. The temperatures were chilled enough to preserve the bodies, turning them into mummies, after the kids were sacrificed some 500 years ago.
Pic: Nicolás Lastra